Baramulla, Nov 04: Government Degree College (GDC) Baramulla hosted a vibrant and insightful Saffron Festival on its premises, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s pursuit of diverse agricultural practices.
The event showcased the tremendous potential of saffron cultivation across north Kashmir, particularly emphasizing its prospects in Baramulla district.
Initiated in 2018, the ‘Prospects of Saffron Cultivation in Baramulla’ project received significant recognition and financial backing from the University Grants Commission in New Delhi, alongside support from the JK Science Technology and Innovation Council, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The festival welcomed esteemed guests, including Chief Agriculture Officer Baramulla Y Sassan and Dr Ghulam Hassan Zargar, former Director of Research at SKUAST. Central to the event was the demonstration of saffron flower harvesting and the meticulous separation of their stigma.
Noteworthy achievements highlighted during the festival included the successful cultivation and harvesting of saffron flowers.
Speakers underscored the economic benefits this cultivation offers to farmers across Baramulla district.
While acknowledging the renowned saffron production in the Pampore area of Kashmir, the event emphasised the viability of saffron cultivation in other parts of Kashmir, as exemplified by the college’s experimental cultivation on its premises.
Professor Abdul Majeed Chalkoo stressed upon the suitability of the Kareva area for saffron cultivation. He highlighted the chemical analysis of the saffron crop, showcasing significant quantities of essential chemical constituents such as crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal.
Despite challenges posed by rodent infestations, timely interventions and scientific methodologies were adopted, ensuring adequate corm size, stigma length, and saffron weight.
Gratitude was expressed to the Department of Science and Technology, JKST, and IC (DST) for their financial support. The eventprovided an invaluable learning experience for college students involved in the project, offering hands-on training in saffron cultivation.
